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September 18, 2014

This is the last post in the series spawned by that canine parvovirus outbreak in Massachusetts. So far we’ve talked about how outbreaks happen, the window of risk for puppies, and vaccine nonresponders. Today, let’s look at ways veterinary researchers and veterinarians can pinpoint when is the best time to begin vaccinating puppies. It’s pretty cool stuff … though, not new. It has been around since the 1960s.

Dr. Ron Schultz at the University of Wisconsin veterinary school often speaks at events hosted by breed clubs and such. He talks to them about a test and calculation called a nomagram, which allows him to pinpoint when to begin vaccinating a specific litter of puppies from a specific Momma dog.

stock photo of 2 puppies

It begins with a titer test of the pregnant female dog, so that researchers know the level of maternal immunity (antibodies) she will pass on to the puppies through her milk.

Remember, these maternal antibodies can block a vaccine from working, so knowing the female dog’s level of antibodies is helpful.

With just that data and the birth date of a litter, Dr. Schultz can calculate when those maternal antibodies will wane enough to allow vaccines to work.

I’m not kidding. Maternal antibodies have a predictable half-life. By tracking that half-life, he can help breeders know when to start vaccinating a litter of pups. 

Even in the most up-to-date vaccination protocols, puppies often receive 3-4 doses of the distemper / parvo / adeno combination vaccine because veterinarians are trying to cover all the bases, assuming some maternal antibody interference.

Using a nomagram calculation, Dr. Schultz and the litter’s attending veterinarian can cut down to just two vaccinations with the distemper / parvo / adeno vaccine. Two (not four) sounds good to me!

“It’s a graph that you draw, which is the half-life of those antibiodies, and when the antibodies fall below a certain titer, then you know that particular litter can be effectively immunized when vaccinated. It will differ from virus to virus, so the two that we test for are, of course, parvo and distemper because those two are the most important. We don’t worry about adeno. That will be immunized along the way,” he explains.

Unlike human infants, who receive all of their systemic protection from the blood in utero, a puppy gets less than 10% of maternal antibody protection that way. Everything else comes from the female dog’s milk, during the first week after birth.

So, Dr. Schultz explains, “Usually the breeder will send me the dam’s serum before she even whelps, then I can say with this particular litter you want to make sure vaccines are given on this date and this date. That’s it. We use two doses, then if you want to be absolutely certain the pups have responded, then we titer the puppies four weeks after the last dose of vaccine.”

Maybe this isn’t news to you, but it was new to me, and I can see how it might be helpful if you want to work with a breeder about a minimal vaccination protocol or if you work in rescue that often takes in pregnant dogs.

**

P.S. I promise to tell the story of our new puppy soon. I wanted to finish this vaccine series first. Oh, and we named her Clover Lee Hawn. We still desperately miss Lilly, but having Clover around does help.

border collie puppy tilting her head

 

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. Clover is a lovely name for a lovely little girl! I’m sure you’ve got your hands full with her, too 😉 Puppies are puppies.

  2. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that
    you need to publish more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people do not speak about these topics.

    To the next! All the best!!

  3. I used to be recommended this web site through
    my cousin. I’m not certain whether or not this put up is written by
    means of him as no one else realize such unique approximately my difficulty.
    You’re wonderful! Thank you!

  4. Moreover, once a dog has core puppy shots, he/she should NOT need others in his lifetime. Immunity is that long lasting. When in doubt, titer. Hopefully the Rabies Challenge will extend time between those shots to 5, maybe even 7 years. Immunity IS that long lasting. If a vet tells you otherwise, RUN!

  5. Don’t feel guilty. Bringing Clover to her new home is all part of the continuum of our relationships with our short lived, four legged friends. Clover will be walking in Lilly’s paw steps. She’ll fill the vacuum Lilly left and you’ll give Clover a life full of love and fun while teaching her to fulfill the potential she was bred for. It’s a win-win situation. Congrats and wishing you and yours a healthy, happy life together!

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